Nonprofit Work

Part of the work I do is for nonprofit organizations. I enjoy collaborating with people who make a positive difference for others.

Over the summer I took this image on a perfect morning in Central Park to be used in promotional materials for The Broadway and Ballet HERO Awards, a benefit for HERO (HIV Experience Resources Organization). HERO is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people get around and get through the system that hinders timely assistance for the newly diagnosed and people living with HIV/AIDS. The awards will be given to organizations and individuals who have gone above and beyond to help the HIV/AIDS community including The Actor’s Fund.

The gala will feature performances by talent from the Broadway and ballet communities.  The roster includes dancers from the American Ballet Theater and a host of Broadway veterans whose credits include Billy Elliot, Chicago, Wicked and Little Shop of Horrors to name a few.

The event will be held this Sunday, October 19th, at 42 West located at 516 West 42nd Street, in Manhattan from 8–10 p.m. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit HERO. You can find full details here.

If you are a theater and/or ballet fan and in town hope to see you there. I’ll be photographing the performances of course.

American Boardwalks

Perhaps boardwalks are to the U.S. what seaside promenades are to Southern Europe. In that vein and as a follow up to my Promenade des Anglais post here are a few on both coasts, each with a distinct personality of its own.

For almost 100 years people have been strolling along the boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn. It’s urban Americana at the beach, New York City style.

Sandwich boardwalk in Cape Cod, Massachusetts couldn’t be any more different than Coney Island. There is no commercialism here, just a peaceful path that leads you through a salt marsh and over the dunes straight to Town Neck Beach.

On the West Coast, Ocean Front Walk is considered the boardwalk of Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Fitness enthusiasts, tourists, surfers, street performers and the homeless all rub shoulders here amongst the palm trees, souvenir shops and cafes.

Which boardwalks or promenades do you prefer to stroll?

Street Scenes: Vintage Hollywood

For more than two decades the corner of La Brea and 1st in Hollywood, Los Angeles has been the scene of a large collection of former movie props for sale and rent.

The contents of Nick Metropolis spill onto the sidewalk. It is filled with oddities, eccentric objects of desire and vintage pieces sought by designers, collectors and assorted pack rats.

Los Angeles Bound

I’m flying to Los Angeles this week to spend about seven days photographing the city and surrounds. This is an annual trip to update my image files and it is no coincidence that this time of year is chosen.

Unlike the typically bleak North East during winter months, the light is good most of the year in Southern California. LA is the epicenter of the film industry in the United States for good reason. I’ll just happen to be there during the Oscars so I leave you with this photograph of preparations for the Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard taken on a previous trip.

New England Gallery Live

I’ve added a New England gallery to the portfolio section of my travel photography site. Included are images of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Maine and New Hampshire.

Caught up with editing for now I’m currently gearing up for travels to Mexico and China later this year. Stay tuned for more images and tales.

Harbor Hopping In New England: Bar Harbor Maine

I’ve spent part of the fall harbor hopping in New England and photographing the region. This image of Bar Harbor, Maine was taken as the clouds cleared after a mostly overcast day and before the sun set. The days become shorter sooner up north.

I’ve typically dreaded fall when the days grow darker and cooler and a back to school feeling still haunts me. The moody beauty of New England this time of year has changed that.

Chatham Harbor Cape Cod

Cape Cod’s Chatham Harbor overlooks Aunt Lydia’s Cove and beyond that the Atlantic Ocean. Located on the southeast tip or elbow of Cape Cod, it’s a prime destination to spot harbor seals who swim right up to the fishing pier waiting for fisherman to come back with the catch of the day.

 

This photo was taken during a trip to the Cape last week. After Labor Day and early fall is an optimal time to travel to and photograph New England.  The summer crowds have left and the weather is still beautiful. Next up is Maine before some upcoming overseas travels later this year.

New Mexico Gallery Live

I’ve added a New Mexico gallery following my travels there earlier this year. New Mexico is classic American road trip country and for good reason.  Empty two lane highways surrounded by stunning cowboy country and dramatic skies make up its DNA. The state is full of history and culture ranging from ancient to Americana.   

This trip took me off the beaten path to the Salinas Pueblos Missions and El Santuario de Chimayo. Pictured here is the Abo Mission, which is part one of three pueblos included in the Salinas Pueblos National Monument. The pueblos range from 20-30 miles apart and communities lived here as recently as 300 years ago. I practically had each to myself, a welcomed rarity.

Other destinations photographed include Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque and the Turquoise Trail among others.

I’m caught up for now with portfolio updates but not for long with some upcoming international and domestic travels planned. 

The Healing Powers of El Santuario de Chimayo New Mexico

Known locally as the Lourdes of America, El Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico is a pilgrimage site for those seeking its healing powers. Tens of thousands of religious pilgrims make there way to this national historic landmark during Holy Week walking from as far as Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque. There is a constant stream of worshipers throughout the year.  

It is believed that in 1810 on Good Friday a friar saw a light and dug into the ground from where it emanated and found a large wooden crucifix. Dirt from the hole where it was discovered is believed to heal the sick and disabled. An adobe church was built above the site and houses a chapel that sits above the small hole where visitors collect the dirt to heal ailments. Rows of crutches and braces of the healed line the walls of a prayer room just outside the sacred chapel. 

Chimayo is located about 30 miles north of Santa Fe. You can also take the high road from Taos to get there.

Monsoon Season New Mexico Style

Monsoon season in New Mexico’s Estancia Valley was in full force this month. Each afternoon around 2 p.m. like clockwork enormous and apocalyptic clouds gathered setting the stage for epic thunderstorms.

At times 4-5 could be seen at once across the unobstructed views of the landscape, which is more than 6,000 feet above sea level. They dropped as much as an inch of rain in less than half an hour before retiring for the day. The rain is much needed in this part of the USA.

New Mexico Bound

I’m flying to New Mexico today for a week. I like to get my Americana on during the summer and take a road trip somewhere in the USA.

I won’t be staying in one of the retro hotels located on Route 66 pictured here. I’ll be crashing and visiting with friends who live on a former cattle ranch located somewhere in between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, which will be among the places I photograph.

Their great, grandfather homesteaded the ranch in 1918. They converted the barn into an art studio after they inherited the land and live and work on the homestead when not traveling to art shows. The husband and wife duo create hand blown glass art. Check out Robbins Ranch to see their work. 

Manhattan: The Blue Hour

As a travel photographer I’m always looking for unique views of cityscapes, particularly well photographed destinations such as my home city of New York.

This series of photographs was taken from the roof deck of a friend’s apartment building during the Blue Hour.

The Blue Hour takes place during twilight when there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness.

It is an optimal time to photograph illuminated landmarks and cityscapes.

Canals From Around The World

Canals have been a form of transport since ancient times. 

The Aztecs built the canals of Xochimilco located in what is now the far south of Mexico City. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, today Xochimilco is a popular place to rent a colorful trajinera.

The completion of the Panama Canal about 100 years ago connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and saved ships the long and often dangerous journey of traveling around South America.

Built with their namesake in Italy in mind, the Venice Canals of Venice Beach in Los Angeles are a beautiful place to take a stroll.

Artists are among those who inhabit the houseboats floating on Regents Canal in Little Venice, London. I lived a block or two away from Regents Canal when I lived and worked in London back in the day.

Do you have canals where you live and are there any you would love to see?

Tourist Ghettos From Around The World

Cheap accommodation, hawkers, Internet cafes, watering holes, food catering to Western palates (pancakes in Asia anyone?) are part of the ecosystem that make up the world’s tourist ghettos. Backpackers who take pride in traveling independently and tour groups, whom backpackers frown upon, inhabit these enclaves side by side and often eclipse the local population.

It seems appropriate to start with the mother of all tourist ghettos – Bangkok’s Khao San road.  Nothing says Thai culture like getting your hair braided or a henna tattoo (cough).

Thamel in Nepal’s Kathmandu is one of the elder tourist ghettos in Asia. It was a destination of choice for hippies during the Flower Power era.

Saigon’s Pham Ngu Lao neighborhood is walking distance to most of the major sites in District 1.

Like its Asian brethren Calle Santander, the main tourist drag in Panajachel located on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, has all the trappings of a tourist ghetto.

It is only fair to include my own city. There is no such thing as cheap accommodation in New York City and it’s not exactly a backpacker haven. But Times Square and its surrounds is the epicenter of the tourist trade. In this scenario I do recommend pancakes at a diner for brunch if you want to eat like a local.   

How many tourist ghettos have you experienced or do you try and avoid them?  Is there a tourist ghetto where you live?

Images In Latest Time Out NYC Guide

The latest edition of Time Out’s New York City guidebook, hot off the presses, features many of my photographs taken as part of a commission they hired me for a few years back. They are still being used in subsequent editions.

These are a few examples. I’ll post more when I get my hands on a print copy.

Happy New Year Times Square Style

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2013. May your year also be filled with wonderful travels.

This photo was taken shortly before midnight from the rooftop of Times Square Studios where I had the good fortune to ring in the New Year with family and friends and a million happy people.

Cathedrals from around the World

Some of the most visited sites in the world are religious institutions. The world’s cathedrals are among them due to their grand architecture and history.

 
York Minster in Yorkshire, England has roots dating back to 627. Construction of the current Gothic style structure began in 1220 and was completed in 1472.

The Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City is the largest in Latin America. It dates from the late 16th and towers over the city's enormous square, the Zocalo.

--> Catedral de Santiago In Antigua, Guatemala has undergone many makeovers over the centuries due to earthquakes. It was established in the 1500s.

 
Saint Nicholas Cathedral is a popular tourist destination in Monaco. It is the final resting place of Princess Grace.

More than 5 million people a year visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Known locally as Saint Pats, it opened its doors in 1879.

Published Photographs: Washington, DC Edition

I thought it appropriate that this installment of published photographs should feature my nation’s capitol. It seems that every presidential election I’m overseas. This year I’m in South Vietnam. The below photos have appeared in newspapers, magazines and have been featured on the Web sites of news organizations.

Four years ago I was in the small town of Uruapan, Mexico in a restaurant watching the results come in on a big screen TV, like the other patrons. I knew President Obama won when a group of about 6-8 men sitting at a nearby started cheering. As I write this post I have no idea where I will be in Saigon when I find out the results.

Street Scenes: Ghostbusters NYC

I’ve been spending the last few weeks photographing my own city one neighborhood at a time. Strolling through Tribeca the other day I came across the Hook & Ladder No. 8 Firehouse.

Some of you may remember it from the movie Ghostbusters, which was a hit back in the 1980s. The exterior served as the headquarters for the ghostbusting trio.

Apologies if you have the theme song from the movie running through your head the rest of the day. Who ya gonna call?

Chairs From Around The World

Finding a good place to sit is part of traveling. Typically it involves choosing a scenic view or prime people watching spot. But the seat on which you rest your bones can also be an icon of the destination. 

The classic French bistro chair is utilitarian and stylish. These were stacked in an alley in Old Town, Nice. 

Adirondack chairs, designed for the outdoors and named for the mountain range, can be found throughout the Northeast in the USA, like the ones pictured here in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. 

The rocking chair in Nicaragua is key piece of furniture in every home. They are not a granny only affair and often bought in sets. Peering into the parlous of colonial homes you’ll see young and old lounging in them.

If you could bring home from your travels any style of chair, which would you choose?